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Research in both academia and industry is required to develop new and innovative technologies — though the differing goals of the two arenas can cause conflict.
Computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) seeks to understand and refine the impact of technology on how groups work together. Irene Greif recounts how the field began in 1984 at a meeting stimulated by trends in distributed systems, networks and office automation.
Electronic waste is the fastest growing category of hazardous solid waste in the world. Addressing the problem will require international collaboration, economic incentives that protect labour, and management approaches that minimize adverse impacts on the environment and human health.